Rockslide Closes One Lane on Alcoa Highway in Knoxville

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 | 09:50am

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is continuing to monitor a rockslide that has shut down one northbound lane on Alcoa Highway (U.S. 129/State Route 115) in Knoxville. The rockslide occurred near Woodson Road around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Southbound traffic is not affected.

TDOT Geotechnical and Design staff have been on location assessing the slide. As a precautionary measure, one northbound lane of Alcoa Highway will remain closed until further repairs can be completed.

An emergency contract is expected to be let by the middle of next week with work beginning shortly thereafter.

Traffic backups occur in this area during peak travel times such as morning rush hour. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes such as:

1) Alcoa Highway to Pellissippi Parkway to Interstate 40.2) Alcoa Highway to John Sevier Highway to Chapman Highway to James White Parkway into Downtown Knoxville or Interstate 40.

For travel and TDOT construction information, visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/ or download the new TDOT SmartWay mobile app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for Android. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information or can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or www.twitter.com/Nashville511 for traffic information in the Nashville area. Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly. Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for your destination.